It’s Hard to Say Goodbye to the Good Ones…
EC Blog by: Allyson Hicks
The last two years have not flown or loped by, nor has it been a steady jog. It’s been more of a roller coaster ride, with sudden turns and plunges.
Right about this time, two years ago, I was filled with excitement to be starting on a new adventure with my first all around horse. I bought a very nice horse, Congress All Around Champion and Novice Amateur Level 1 Champion, No Fun Being Good, who had the talent and drive to continue to be a fantastic show partner.
“Jimmie” was a trooper, showing me what a show horse should be and what a real relationship between a horse and rider can feel like. He carried me into the winner’s circle and he carried me out of the show pen and into the warm up pen where I was able to learn more with each show and each ride. It was a fine time. Jimmie loved showing; he loved the travel, the sights, the smells, everything that came with being a show horse.
No horse is perfect, and Jimmie had a few miles on him that came along with all those previous wins. It started with our first show, a misstep here and there. Adequan, Legend, massage, chiropractic care, joint supplements, farrier work with pads, joint injections, IRAP, rest, and then more rest. After a few shows and a few months, it became easier to see that Jimmie might make a better walk down the trail kind of horse. So, he came home, to be coddled and spoiled and loved on. He enjoyed those bareback walks, those carrots, and those grass nibbling afternoons. Still, they were mixed with special farrier work, supplements, and more injections….The walks down the road seemed to get shorter each day, and Jimmie’s sparkle for life seemed to be slowly fading away.
I took Jimmie to the veterinarian that had handled the bulk of his care, hoping that she might have a bit of magic left in her vet bag. But, after x-rays and a thorough exam, it was clear that my beautiful partner wouldn’t be getting an extension. He had been so excited to hop in the trailer; he loved going places and he loved that vet hospital. He was such a gentleman, even to the end. So, my darling boy, laid down his sweet head.
Stories shouldn’t end like this; don’t you agree? Two weeks before I lost my Jimmie, I had finally decided to look at other show horses and had made an offer on a two-year-old filly. The owners had accepted the offer, so I had her vet checked. Here was a horse with a fantastic attitude and a clean bill of health. She’s not Jimmie, but isn’t that as it should be? Some things are irreplaceable.
Always in my heart- Jimmie – No Fun Being Good
